Ladakh: Five Army soldiers killed while driving tank across Shyok river

Five soldiers of the Army, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), were killed after being swept away while crossing the Shyok river in a T-72 tank near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area in Ladakh early on Saturday (June 29).

Officials said the incident occurred near Mandir Morh, 148 km from Leh, during an exercise around 1 am.

Flash floods

The T-72 tank with five soldiers on board sank due to flash floods while they were crossing the river, the officials said.

"Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of 5 Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while getting a tank across a river in Ladakh," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. 

How accident happened

Officials said the soldiers were trying to get the tank across the river when the accident happened.

"On 28 Jun 2024 night, while deinducting from a military training activity, an army tank got stuck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh due to sudden increase in the water level," the Army's Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps said.

"Rescue teams were rushed to the location. However, due to high current and water levels, the rescue mission didn't succeed and the tank crew lost their lives," it said.

Melting snow led to floods

"The Indian Army regrets loss of five brave personnel while being operationally deployed in Eastern Ladakh. Rescue operations are underway," it said on X.

The soldiers who died in the accident were from an armoured regiment of the Indian Army, the officials said.

They said the melting of snow resulted in the increase in water levels of the Shyok river, which passes through the strategically key Depsang region. 

Congress messages

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed sorrow at the deaths.

"Deeply distressed at the loss of lives of five Indian Army bravehearts, including a JCO (junior commissioned officer), while getting a T-72 tank across a river in Ladakh," Kharge said in a post on X.

"Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Army personnel who fell victim to this painful tragedy. In this hour of grief, the nation stands together in saluting the exemplary service of our valiant soldiers," he added.

Extremely sad: Rahul

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, said the news of the soldiers' death was extremely sad.

"The news of the martyrdom of five Indian Army soldiers in an accident during a military exercise of a tank crossing a river in Ladakh is extremely sad," he said in a post in Hindi on X.

"While paying my humble tribute to all the martyred soldiers, I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We stand with them in this hour of grief. The country will always remember their dedication, service and sacrifice," he said in a post.

Condolences from Priyanka 

Priyanka Gandhi also expressed her condolences to the families of the five soldiers.

"The news of the martyrdom of five army soldiers in the sudden flood…in Ladakh is extremely sad. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families," she said in Hindi in a post on X.

"The country will always remain indebted to our brave soldiers and their families for this supreme sacrifice," she added. 

(With agency inputs)